All Clerk's offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thu, Nov 22 and Fri, Nov 23; we will reopen on Mon, Nov 26. Self-service options via the website and our 24 hour phone system will be available.

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Family Law/Child Support/Adoption/Divorce

Family Law cases include Dissolution of Marriage (divorce), Annulment, Name Change, Adoption, Delayed Birth Certificates, Child Support, Custody, Paternity and Alimony. The above listed are the most common filings and not inclusive of all matters.

Family Law FAQs

What are my options for obtaining customer service from the Clerk's office?

If you are authorized under Florida Rules of Judicial Administration to view a court file but are unable to view it online and/or you need a copy, you may view or pick up a copy of the file at our Tampa Edgecomb or Plant City locations. To allow adequate time for redaction processing, it may take four business days for your file to be available for on-site viewing and/or pick-up. We suggest that you pre-order the file for onsite viewing or pick-up by completing the Order Form for Family Law files.

Where can I obtain blank forms to use in filing for divorce, name change, or custody cases or any other matters associated with Family Law?

You may obtain blank forms for a fee at the Court Business Center located on the 6th floor of the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse. If you have access to a computer and printer, you may download and print free copies of blank forms by clicking here.

How do I file for a divorce or get an annulment?

How do I file for emancipation?

Emancipation, also known as Removal of Disabilities of Nonage on Minors, is the act by which a minor gains all privileges as an adult. The Clerk does not provide the paperwork to file such a case. You should either contact an attorney or refer to the Florida Statute 743 for information on what to include in the petition. These types of cases are filed in the Family Law Department.

How do I get a copy of my final Judgment if my case is sealed? (Example: adoption or termination of parental rights)

In order to obtain copies of a sealed order you must do one of the following:

The attorney of record for the petitioner or a pro se litigant with proper ID can come to the office and request copies from the court file.

You can download a Petition and Order, requesting the Judge to allow you to obtain copies from your sealed case. There is a $50.00 filing fee to file this motion.

Once you have your Order please get as many copies you may need at that time. Once the file is re-sealed you must re-petition the court to obtain more copies.

How do I find out if I have a court date coming up?

You can follow your case online from our website. You will be able to track all documents filed in your case as well as the Notice of Hearing.

What is the Central Governmental Depository?

The Central Governmental Depository (CGD) is responsible for maintaining support accounts. The term support can be defined as child support, alimony, and monies owed to the State of Florida Department of Revenue for government assistance. The depository keeps the official record of all support activity in these types of cases.

The CGD can receipt support payments, purge payments, and fees associated with support cases. Additionally, the CGD can accept pleadings for filing, answer questions regarding support, and sell copies of payment histories. The Depository processes all court orders when support has been ordered payable through the Court.